'Competence on full display': Guv Bose lauds Mamata govt for peaceful Ram Navami
Kolkata, Apr 6 (PTI): West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Sunday hailed the Mamata Banerjee government for ensuring a peaceful Ram Navami in the state.
Bose said the previous experiences of "political mudslinging and violence" appeared distant during this year's Ram Navami celebrations.
"In a first of sorts in recent memory and in several years, Ram Navami has passed off peacefully across the State of West Bengal. The concerted effort of all has paid off," a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan said.
Bose said the state government and the political parties had joined hands to ensure that Ram Navami was celebrated in a joyful manner.
"Governor Bose thanked the people, above all, for responding to his appeal over the last few days to celebrate Shri Ram Navami with the dignity it deserves," the statement said.
"The Chief Minister and the government made a comprehensive plan and deployed an adequate number of security forces. The mechanism put in place is on high alert. The administrative drive and competence were on full display as it was a great success for everyone to ensure that people celebrated the festival in an atmosphere of joy and peace," it added.
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If asked for commission, contractors should approach Lokayukta: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru(PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday suggested that if anyone has demanded commission from contractors to pay their bills, then they should file a complaint with Lokayukta.
His reaction comes a day after the Karnataka State Contractors Association (KSCA) alleged that the menace of commission was now more severe than the previous BJP government.
They claimed that "unseen hands and brokers" were active in the offices of Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar and two other senior Cabinet Ministers.
Responding to these allegations, Shivakumar denied involvement of ministers and said, "If anyone has asked for commission from contractors to pay bills, they should file a complaint with the Lokayukta. Our ministers Satish Jarkiholi and Boseraju are not involved in this."
Interacting with to reporters in vidhana soudha, Deputy CM said, If contractors are asked for commission, they should file a complaint with the Lokayukta. Shivakumar questioned as to why should contractors ask the minister regarding bill payment? "Are they (contractors) not aware of the department's budget? How did they take up the contract when there is no grant?"
"During the BJP tenure, contracts worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore were awarded by my department alone. MLAs are requesting for payment of these contract bills," he said.
He stated that during the BJP government, they had warned the contractors a year in advance before the assembly elections.
"We warned them not to take up any work without funds. However, without listening to us, they are now issuing letters of request for payment of bills through political leaders," he added.
On Thursday, KSCA president R Manjunath said "brokers" were active in Shivakumar's office and he also alleged interference by one relative of Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi in the affairs concerning his department.
He further claimed that Minor Irrigation Minister NS Boseraju's son (Ravi Boseraju) "makes all the deals".
While Shivakumar asked the contractors to lodge a complaint in writing, Boseraju and Jarkiholi have denied the allegations.
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